Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “If it does not rain throughout this month, most farmers would be in trouble this year.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Timely rainfall is essential for farming success. II. Most farmers are generally dependent on rainfall.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Both I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The statement forecasts widespread farmer distress if there is no rain this month. The logic rests on rainfall being a key input and on most farmers depending on it rather than on assured irrigation.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Condition: No rain this month.
  • Outcome predicted: Most farmers will be in trouble.
  • Assumption I: Rainfall timing is essential for crop cycles.
  • Assumption II: A majority of farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture.


Concept / Approach:

  • A conditional forecast requires that the condition (rain) is causally significant.
  • The aggregate prediction (“most farmers”) requires that reliance on rain is widespread among farmers.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Assumption I is necessary: without the importance of timely rain, the absence of rain would not broadly harm farming.Assumption II is necessary: if most farmers had irrigation or other substitutes, “most” would not be in trouble.


Verification / Alternative check:

Remove I: The causal link fails. Remove II: The quantifier “most” is unsupported. With both present, the prediction is coherent.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Only I or Only II under-supports either the causal mechanism or the breadth of impact. Either / Neither miss the dual necessity.


Common Pitfalls:

Ignoring the quantifier “most,” which demands an assumption about widespread dependence, not just isolated cases.


Final Answer:

Both I and II are implicit

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